Kirx.—On Double Parasitism in Loranthacer. 329 
Art. XL.—On a Remarkable Instance of Double Parasitism in Loranthacem, 
By T. Kir, F.L.S. 
(Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 12th February, 1876.) 
One of the most striking points of contrast between the Floras of New 
Zealand and the British Islands is afforded by the large proportion of 
shrubby parasites to be found in the former compared with the latter. New 
Zealand possess three genera of Loranthacee, comprising nine or possibly 
ten species, half of which have showy flowers. The British Islands, with a 
large Flora, exhibit only a single species, the well-known Mistletoe ( Viscum 
album, Li.) with unattractive flowers. Central Europe possesses only three 
or four species.. Five genera, comprising about 28 species, are found 
in Australia, but even in this case, the proportion of Loranths to other 
flowering plants does not exceed that which is found in this Colony. 
Instances of double parasitism in this order have been recorded, but 
they are of very rare occurrence. Viscwm album has been found growing on 
Loranthus europaeus, and one of the Australian species of Viscum exhibits a 
similar preference for various forms of Loranthus. In the “ Hand-book of the 
New Zealand Flora,” Tupeia antarctica is said to be parasitic on Loranthus 
micranthus, but I believe that only a single instance has been observed. 
When recently botanizing with my friend, Mr. J. D. Enys, on the 
mountain above the Broken River, at an altitude of 3000 feet, we had the 
pleasure of discovering a noble specimen of Fagus solandri whose wide 
spreading arms supported a most abundant and luxuriant growth of 
Loranthus decussatus, some of the branches being from eight to nine feet in 
length, in many cases bearing specimens of Tupeia antarctica, several feet 
in circumference. ‘ 
In some cases two or more specimens were growing on the same 
branch, but these were invariably small, and, in the larger specimens, the 
portion of the supporting branch beyond the point of attachment of the 
Tupeia was usually dead or dying, showing that the Tupeia had absorbed a 
large portion of the nutritive juices necessary for the full supply of the 
foster parasite. From 20 to 30 plants of Tupeia were parasitic on the 
Loranthus on this single Fagus, but although L. decussatus and L. flavidus 
were plentiful in the vicinity, no other specimens of Tupeia were observed 
and no other instance of double parasitism during explorations extending 
over many miles. 
The remarkable mode of attachment (see “ Trans. N. Z. Inst.,”’ Vol. 
IIL., p. 161) of Loranthus decussatus was strikingly shown, numerous stems 
being given off at the point of attachment, and adhering to the foster plant 
for several feet, often inosculating. 
Tupeia antarctica, on the other hand, gives off no stems, and is simply 
attached at its base. R1 
